At 101 years old, Major (Ret’d) Murray E. served in World War II, the Korean War and on United Nations assignments abroad. He is one of only a few surviving 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment (2PPCLI) soldiers who took part in the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War.
This past April marked the 70th Anniversary of that momentous battle. It was one of Canada’s greatest and least-known military achievements, during which the 2PPCLI held their position against 5,000 Chinese soldiers on the front lines. The Battle of Kapyong was a contributing factor in defeating the Communist offensive in South Korea.
“It was the turning point in the whole war, even announced by the Americans,” Murray recounted. The ribbon of the U.S. Presidential Citation was awarded to the 2PPCLI in June 1951 for their extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of combat duties in action against the armed enemy near Kapyong, Korea, on the 24th and 25th of April 1951. The battle saw 10 Canadian soldiers killed and 23 wounded. A resident at Veterans Memorial Lodge since 2015, Murray has thoroughly documented his military service including his time in Korea.
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